Karnal MC to impose Rs 2,000 fine for defecating in open

Karnal still remains a challenge for the local to make the town 100% open defecation-free

It has been more than 15 months since the district administration launched the ODF campaign. (HT File/Representative image )

Having set the deadline of August 15 to declare the municipal area open defecation-free, the Karnal civic body has decided to impose Rs 2,000 fine if anybody is found defecating in the open.

Also, the municipal corporation (MC) has decided to file a case under the Swacch Bharat Mission guidelines.

Even as chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s home constituency Karnal has been included in the list of smart cities, it still remains a challenge for the local to make the town 100% open defecation-free. It has been more than 15 months since the district administration launched the ODF campaign.

The MC has deputed hundreds of volunteers to motivate the people to make their localities open defecation-free. Officials deputed to monitor the campaign say besides several slum areas, about 2,100 families in the MC limits were identified as having no toilets and the MC has issued them grant to start construction of toilets.

MC commissioner Priyanka Soni with officials is making surprise checks in slum areas.An official said, “We are working tirelessly to meet the deadline. We had identified 30 locations in slum areas.” Karnal mayor Renu Bala Gupta said, “We are close to achieving the target. We will submit our report for the final survey as part of the Swacch Bharat Mission.”

“The city has thousands of migrant people that is why it took long time to make the municipal area open defecation-free,” she added. All 382 panchayats in the district were declared ODF after a special drive.